Teambuilding Games

Pictorial Story Making

• In this game 20 random pictures are given to each team and they are asked to make a story out of them. The story must be sequential and all the random pictures must be featured in the story. The team that makes the best story in the shortest time wins the game. This game develops cooperation skills. Team members discuss and collaborate on the best story.

Survival

• This activity can help you build better communication skills as the team works together for its survival. Pretend you are on a cruise ship when it begins to sink near a desert island. There is a lifeboat that can hold everyone plus 12 items they will need to survive on the island. Provide a list of items that they must choose from and then have them rate the items according to their level of importance for survival.

Scavenger Hunt

• A scavenger hunt can help build better relationships between team members. The hunt can start at the office and finish up at a restaurant for lunch or a snack. Divide the employees into small groups to find 10-20 items on a list. Pass out cameras with instructions to take pictures of specific locations the group went or tasks they needed to complete. Set a time limit of 30-45 minutes to finish the activity.

1. Back-to-Back

   • Have each pupil select a partner and sit on the ground back-to-back. When you say "Go," the players must work together to stand up without using their hands. They must press their backs together while working to stand up. The first team to stand up wins the game. Have the players switch partners and play again.
   
   

   Flip the Tarp

   • Place a tarp on the ground and have the children stand on the tarp. Tell the children they must work together to flip over the tarp without anyone stepping off the tarp. They must squeeze together and figure out a way to flip the tarp over little-by-little. Time the children and have them try to beat their fastest time on each repeated attempt.
   
   

   Balloon Drop

   • Blow up several balloons and give each child a balloon. Tell the children to hit their balloons in the air and keep them in the air. Once all the children have the concept down, throw in a couple more balloons. The children will have to work together to keep the balloons from hitting the ground. If a balloon hits the ground, the game is over. Time the children and have them try to beat their record each time they play the game.
   
   

   Follow the Leader

   • Choose one pupil to go out of the room, then select a leader from the remaining players. All players must stand in a circle facing in toward the center. The leader should start clapping, stomping his feet, patting his head or making another movement and all the children must follow suit. Bring the child from outside the room back inside and put him in the circle. The leader will continue to change movements and the children in the circle will follow him. The child who was outside the room has three chances to guess who the leader is. Tell the children in the circle to try not to give away the identity of the leader. If the child from outside the room is able to guess correctly, he gets to select the child who leaves the room for the next round. If he guesses incorrectly, he must go out of the room and try again.

Building Project

• Teach your students to work together creatively by building a tall structure in teams in 10 minutes. Gather enough paper cups, paper plates, newspaper, masking tape and scissors to give each team enough material to build a structure at least 4-feet tall. For older students, increase the height requirement for a more difficult team building game. Give each team five minutes to discuss how it will use its materials to build the high structure. Do not allow the teams to touch the materials during this time. At your mark, give the teams five minutes to build their structure with their building material without speaking to each other. They can communicate using hand gestures and facial expressions but not with words. You may give them permission to talk during the last minute if you feel it necessary. The team who has the sturdiest and tallest structure wins the team building game. Discuss with your students afterward how difficult they find acting as a team without speaking to each other.

Blind Walk

• Create a short maze in your classroom or outside for your students to lead each other through. Explain to your students that trust is key in acting as a team as you group your students in pairs. Blindfold one team member ideally before they have a chance to see the maze or spin them around to disorient them. The teammate needs to orally guide the blindfolded person through the maze without touching the person. Remind them to use specific language when speaking to their partner. Keep the obstacle safe by ensuring no sharp edges can poke your students. Teams that successfully manage the maze are the winners. Talk to your students about the importance to being honest and trustworthy to each other.

Ball Track

• Allow all your middle school students to participate in one giant team building game. Prepare enough half pipes or gutters so every student can hold one piece to make one long track. Bring a ball that will roll down easily on the size track you will make. For small pipes, use a marble. To help your students, line them up from tallest to shortest. At the end of the track, place a container to catch the ball. Give them a few minutes to practice holding their pipes together to make a smooth track for the ball to travel down. When ready, release the ball. If the ball falls off the track, pick it up and start again. When they successfully get the ball into the container, they have won the team building game. Remind your students to speak encouragingly to each other when working together.

Helium Pole/Hoop

Over & Out(In)

Tank Commander

Birdie on a Perch